Many sporting and cultural events have been hosted in the city. These include:
- World Expo '88
- Commonwealth Games in 1982
- Goodwill Games in 2001
The Economist Intelligence Unit in 2009 rated the city as the 16th most liveable city in the world. Its economy is the best among the cities between Sydney and Singapore.
Industries
Brisbane has witnessed consistent economic growth in recent years. The economy is the largest among cities that lie between Sydney and Singapore, which include Darwin, Jakarta, Cairns and Townsville. There are many industries in the city, which divide into two groups, white-collar and blue-collar.
The white-collar industries include
- Financial services
- Public sector offices
- Information technology
Most of these industries are located in the central business district and office areas recently established in the inner suburbs.
Blue-collar industries include:
- Stevedoring
- Petroleum refining
- Metalworking
- Paper milling
- Railway workshops
These industries are found primarily in the Brisbane River’s lower reaches and also in the industrial zones located on the urban fringe.
The government of Queensland has turned its attention to technology and science industries since the late 1990s and early 2000s. The government has also invested heavily in the establishment of many biotechnology and research facilities in the city’s universities.
Brisbane is not only an administrative city. It also plays an important role in business in the state. A significant number of large Australian companies have their offices or branches in Brisbane. Some of these include:
- Wotif.com
- Flight Centre
- Credit Union Australia
- Orrcon
- Boeing Australia
- Suncorp-Metway Limited
- Donut King
- NetBox Blue
- PIPE Networks
A number of international companies can also be found in the city.
Education
Education plays an important role in the economy of Brisbane and is among the city’s booming industries. Schools are divided into two major levels, namely, nursery, primary and secondary schools and TAFE colleges and universities.
Nursery, primary and secondary schools
There are a number of primary and secondary private and public schools that are controlled by Education Queensland. There are also primary and secondary schools run by religious bodies like the Roman Catholic Church.
Tertiary institutions and universities
Brisbane has three main TAFE colleges, Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE, Brisbane North Institute of TAFE and the Southbank Institute of TAFE.
The universities in Brisbane are among the best in the nation. The three universities in the city are:
- Griffith University
- Queensland University of Technology
- University of Queensland
There are also campuses of other universities in the city.
Recreation and leisure
Tourism has made an important contribution to the growth of Brisbane’s economy. Brisbane is ranked as the third most popular international tourist destination in Australia. There are a number of recreational areas in the city for tourists and holidaymakers. The popular ones include:
- City Botanic Gardens
- South Bank Parklands
- Brisbane Forest Park
- Roma Street Parkland
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
- Portside Wharf
The Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium is located in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens. A popular forest destination is located in the suburb of Mount Coot-tha.
In addition to these tourist locations, there are other recreational and leisure places in the city and many sporting events are held there. Some major international sporting events have been hosted there, including the 1982 Commonwealth Games, 1987 Rugby World Cup, parts of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and others. There are also professional sports clubs like the Brisbane Roar football club and the Brisbane Broncos rugby club. The Broncos are the most popular professional club in the city.
Brisbane has a number of sporting venues that people can visit to watch sports. All of these sporting venues are built to international standards and can accommodate many kinds of international sporting events. Popular sporting venues include:
- Brisbane Cricket Ground (also known asas The Gabba)
- Suncorp Stadium
- Sleeman Centre
- Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre
- Ballymore Stadium<
- State Tennis Centre
The Queen Street Mall, the major shopping location in Brisbane, is the place to go for shopping. It has more than 500 shops and a good number of arcades. You can do more than shop there. There are many other things to do and see in this part of Brisbane. As an example, the beauty of Paddington (an historic suburb) makes it a must to visit. Some of the popular locations in this area include:
- The Myer Centre
- Queen’s Plaza
- Brisbane Arcade
- Brunswick Street Mall
- Broadway on the Mall
There are also many eateries with excellent menus to satisfy the taste buds of foodies.
Conclusion
Brisbane is a city that is full of life with a strong economy. There are a number of industries and recreational facilities in the city to keep life moving. Many festivals and events are celebrated annually, such as Ekka. Numerous musical groups and buskers keep the city entertained.
